SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

SEARCH BY BLACKFELLOWS

PLANE SHORT OF FOOD

(Australian Press Association) (United Service.)

SYDNEY, April 2

The latest advice 'from Wyndliam states that native runners have been despatched from the Forest River Mission Station to the Drysdalc Mission, one hundred miles distant, seeking news of the Southern Cross. These runners are the only means of communication, according to the Wymilium police. The Forest River Mission is thirty miles north-west of Wyndliam. Drvsdale is one hundred miles further in the same direction.

The Southern Cross carried oursufficient food if nr three or four meals. Eight inches of rain fell at Wyud ham in 24 hours up to nine o’clock on Monday morning. Practically no rain lias fallen since.

MYSTERY ABOUT THE START

SYDNEY, April 2.

The “ Sydney Sun,” which is specially interested in the flight, says ; “ Mystery envelops the departure of Smith and Ulm and party on Saturday. They were advised on Tuesday last to delay the flight until they had received an official “ 0.K.” from Wyiulham. It would now appear that this official message was not received, because a telegram 'from Wyndliam on Saturday afternoon expressed astonishment at the departure of the Southern Cross and it urged that the plane must be recalled in view of the dangerous conditions at Wyndliam. Smith could not have received this information, liecause bis aerial bad gone. “ A veil of silence still covers the airmen. The relief plane, which lias to base its operations on Wyndliam, may have difficulty owing to the rain sodden ground there being unsuitable for a landing.”

STILL NO WORD

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

SYDNEY. April 2

There was no word late to-night Irom the Southern Cross' party or searchers.

THE MISSING AIRMEN

fßeceived this day at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, April S.

Commander Wackett,- instructed by the Defence Department to assist In the search for the Southern Cross, leaves Richmond as soon as possible. L. Kingsford Smith made a statement which suggested Smith and Ulm were misled by a faked message before departure. The message was to the effect that the ground at Wyndliam was drying rapidly and there was good weather all along the route.